COVID-19 Information & Discussion for Small Business Owners.

What is COVID-19? (From the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website: CDC.gov)
“On February 11, 2020 the World Health Organization announced an official name for the disease that is causing the 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak, first identified in Wuhan China. The new name of this disease is coronavirus disease 2019, abbreviated as COVID-19. In COVID-19, ‘CO’ stands for ‘corona,’ ‘VI’ for ‘virus,’ and ‘D’ for disease. Formerly, this disease was referred to as “2019 novel coronavirus” or “2019-nCoV. There are many types of human coronaviruses including some that commonly cause mild upper-respiratory tract illnesses. COVID-19 is a new disease, caused be a novel (or new) coronavirus that has not previously been seen in humans.”

How it spreads: (From the CDC)
The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person:
• Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
• Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
• These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
• It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.

Symptoms may include:
• Fever, Cough, Shortness of Breath

Prevention steps include:
Clean your hands often!
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Avoid close contact!
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Put distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in your community. This is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.

• Stay informed – including Coronavirus.gov and your State website

• Minimum Guidelines include:
o If you feel sick, stay home. Don’t go to work. Contact your medical provider.
o If your children are sick, keep them at home. Don’t send them to school. Contact your medical provider.
o If someone in your household has tested positive for the coronavirus, keep the entire household at home. Do not go to work.
o If you are an older person, stay home and away from other people.
o If you are a person with serious underlying health conditions that can put you at increased risk, stay home and away from other people.

• Recommended strategies for employers to use now:
o Actively encourage sick employees to stay home.
o Train employees on how to avoid spreading the virus, including hand washing.
o Perform routine environmental cleaning.

Develop and execute a Response Plan:
• Follow the CDC guidelines to develop your plan.
• Communicate with your staff and customers/clients.
• See OSHA standards and directives for more details: osha.gov

Small Business Administration (SBA): sba.gov
• Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program – The SBA will work directly with state Governors to provide targeted, low-interest loans to small businesses and non-profits that have been severely impacted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program provides small businesses with working capital loans of up to $2 million that can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing.

Other Considerations:
• Contact your bank if you have a loan for your small business.
• Contact your Landlord if you have leased commercial space.
• Business Interruption Insurance? Review your policy and contact your insurance broker to discuss this option if you current have this type of policy.
• Furloughs instead of Layoffs? You may want to consider a furlough instead of a complete layoff for your employees.
• Communicate with your Employees, Partners, Vendors.
• Communicate honestly with your Customers/Clients.
• Take time to exercise and disconnect.